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Great Raft Brewing Awarded First Bicycle Friendly Business Designation in Louisiana

Great Raft Brewing Named a Silver Bicycle Friendly BusinessSM by the League of American Bicyclists

First Bicycle Friendly Business in State of Louisiana

Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Great Raft Brewing with a silver Bicycle Friendly Business (BFBSM) award, joining more than 1,090 visionary businesses from across the country.

With the announcement of 43 new and renewing BFBs today, Great Raft Brewing joins a group of more than 1,090 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies in 49 states and Washington, D.C., that are transforming the American workplace.

“The business community’s investment in bicycling is playing a central role in making the country a safer, happier, and more sustainable place to live and work,” said Amelia Neptune, League Bicycle Friendly Business Program Manager. “We applaud this new round of businesses, including Great Raft Brewing, for leading the charge in creating a bicycle-friendly America for everyone.”

By engaging with local bicycle advocacy groups and activists, Great Raft Brewing has helped spread awareness for the growing bike culture in Shreveport. Great Raft Brewing encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as well-lit bike racks and incentives such as $1 off of pints when you arrive by bike. The brewery also provides several bike-themed events throughout the year, offering free tune-ups, cleaning and maintenance.

"It's an honor to have the official recognition from the League of American Bicyclists, and to be the first business in Louisiana to earn the award,” said Lindsay Nations, co-founder and vice president of Great Raft Brewing. “We are working to bring both craft beer and bike culture into the mainstream in Northwest Louisiana, and this award encourages us to continue working with the community to accomplish both.”

To celebrate this award, Great Raft Brewing will be giving away a bicycle on December 20. Raffle tickets for the brand new cruiser bicycle can be purchased for $1 at the front desk of the brewery’s tasting room at 1251 Dalzell Street beginning today and continuing through Saturday, December 19. The winner will be contacted on December 19 and announced via Great Raft Brewing’s Facebook page and website the following week. 100% of the raffle ticket sales will be set aside for a brewery bike fund that will be used to purchase tools and materials for a public-use bike repair station and other bike-friendly amenities.

“I hope that people see the steps we’ve taken to make Shreveport a more bike friendly community and that other local businesses will add features to attract cyclists and create a healthier culture in their workplace,” added Nations.